Chapter 1
A/N: I am really sorry I didn't update as soon as I thought. I was planning to but then life got in the way. I hope you forgive me. Anyway, this is the first chapter in my story. I hope you enjoy it.
A knife whizzed through the air and landed, with a thud, on a target board. Two more followed this one along with a shriek of "HOW DID YOU DO THAT". Arianna Malfoy smirked at her sputtering friend and folded herself neatly down on a couch. Her best friend, Star Zabini, hurled her knife at the target too but it landed five feet away. Star growled in frustration and flopped down onto the couch beside Arianna. "I don't know how you are so good with muggle weapons" she huffed "I mean, when have you ever even had any practice? Your parents would flip if they knew".
"that's why we are never going to tell them" replied Arianna "and Bella should never ever know. Can you imagine her face?" Arianna laughed, and flicked her dirty blonde hair out of her eyes. She stood up and straightened her black shirt and pants.
"I can imagine Bellatrix's face and also how strong her cruciatus curse would be." Star sighed. "I wish Bella weren't in Azkaban. It would be so fun" She also stood up, brushing of her red dress.
"Yeah, me too. Come on, lets go again" Arianna waved at the target boards. "You always beat me. Also, isn't your birthday party later today?" Star grumbled. "I can't help if I'm better than you and my birthday party is the only reason, I invited you over early; to help me." The blonde replied, grinning.
A few hours later, Arianna was in her room with her mother. They were both rushing around and trying to get Arianna ready in record time. It took around an hour but finally Arianna was ready. She studied herself in the mirror. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant bun, held together by a blood red hair ribbon, with a few strands framing her face. She was dressed in a gold gown which was enchanted to turn into a jumpsuit when a jewel on the belt was pressed ("for when it comes to… less elegant dancing" her mother had said). Her shoes were made of (fake) glass which was tinted gold. Her nails had ben done in red and she was wearing gold and rubies for jewellery.
It struck her as odd that her mum insisted her to be dressed in Gryffindor colours but then, she did look good in them. Draco, her dad and Star were waiting for her and Narcissa at the top of the grand staircase. "I want to see proper etiquette from both of you. No rudeness will be tolerated at this party" Arianna's father, Lucius, instructed her and Star. Draco and Lucius Malfoy were both in black formal suits while Star was dressed similar to Arianna, just wearing a white and red dress that complemented her black hair and olive skin, instead of a gold one. The party was noisy underneath in the ballroom but then trumpets began to play. Her mum and dad walked down the stairs first, arms linked. Then came Draco who was followed by Star. Arianna took a deep breath, put on a dazzling smile and descended the steps.
She could see that the party was in full swing, with the guests all applauding for her with glasses in their hands or food in their mouths. There were gold and white drapes all through the room and a dance floor was set up near the back end. A giant buffet was set out along an incredibly long table with so many dishes that you couldn't even imagine how the scents mixed to create an amazingly tempting one. There was roast chicken, some kind of bird filled with sauces, noodles in a spicy red soup, glasses filled with pumpkin, apple, mango and blueberry juices and so much more. On a smaller table on top of the center of the buffet table, there was a gigantic 7 story chocolate cake that was surrounded by smaller cakes in different flavors such as red velvet, vanilla and black forest. People were milling about, talking, taking food from the table, gently swaying to the music and having fun. Right in the middle of the room, under the enormous chandelier was a gigantic mountain of presents next to a plush chair. Probably for the gift opening ceremony. She decided to have some food and chat to her friends before the opening of the presents and have proper fun right after it.
A little while later, everyone gathered around the pile in the centre of the party while Arianna opened each of her presents while her mum whisked them all away so that she had space to pen the gifts. She received many dresses, jewelry, books and even some furniture. As her last few gifts were vanished into her room (a trunk, some notebooks, a set of musical instruments and posters to decorate her room with), Ari headed to the dance floor, arm in arm with Draco.
After a while of waltzes, the good music came on. It was time to have fun. Arianna smiled and pressed the jewels on her gown and, on second thought, pulled the ribbon out of her hair. She danced, sung and ate snacks until it was only five minutes to the time she was born. Her mother called everyone to the dining room and just as the clock hit 11:48, two owls swooped in and a letter dropped in front of each girl with the Hogwarts crest on the seal. They both squealed and ripped open their letters and read through them eagerly.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
(signature)
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (Dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
(signature)
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
Just as Arianna was going to put the letter back in the envelope, a small, silver snake materialized and bit her on the hand. She cried out in pain as the snake hissed "ssorry about that. Mix some of that ssilver flower you got in your garden with clear water and the pain will go away. Do not tell anyone about me" then the snake disappeared. Her mum rushed over to Arianna with her wand out and said worriedly "Ari are you okay? Do you need a house elf? I can call Dobby" Ari somehow mustered a smile even though her hand felt as though it was on fire and said as calmly as possible "it's nothing. Just a paper cut that's all. May I go outside for a bit? Its very stuffy in here." "Of course, darling. Are you sure you are, ok?" Narcissa asked again. Ari nodded and fled out on to the grounds, covering the snake bite with her good hand.
Out in the grounds, Ari ran through the beautiful trees and headed straight for one of the walled gardens and started hunting for the silver flower the snake had mentioned. She was too shocked to register that a snake had talked, and that she had understood. It didn't take long until she spotted the flower, growing in a clump near the far wall from the gate. she picked it up and held it under the water fountain in the center of the garden. To her surprise, it turned into a thick paste immediately and she sighed in relief as the paste soothed the pain.
"When is she gonna notice me?" came a voice from behind her. She whirled around and saw one of her pet snakes, Jax, sitting there. "did you just talk?" she asked. "since when are you a parcel mouth? You couldn't speak parcel tongue before" Jax said, surprised. "I don't know! Since this silver snake bit, me I think". "Fascinating" came the reply. Ari composed herself and said, in parcel tongue "I am going to Hogwarts and I want to take a pet. Will you come with me? "Sorry but I love it here and Riho is about to have eggs. Also, are snakes even allowed at Hogwarts?" "No idea but I'm sure father can threaten the school governors to persuade Dumbledore. "Well since that is sorted, why don't you just buy a new snake when you go to Diagon alley? I would love the company when you come back from the holidays." Jax suggested. "Not bad Jax" Ari breathed and straightened up. "I better not tell anyone about my newfound ability" she thought as she walked back inside.
A/N: Here you have the 1st chapter in my soon to be brilliant novel! (too much?)
Anyway, hope you enjoyed and please comment and give constructive criticism if you have any. (I also included what the Hogwarts letter said in case you forgot)
Thou shall see you soon for the next update! (sorry)
The next one will be sometime in the next week.